What Is HTTP Status Code?
An HTTP status code is a three-digit number returned by a web server in response to a browser's request. Status codes indicate whether the request succeeded, failed, or requires further action like a redirect.
Why It Matters
Every time your browser requests a URL, the server responds with a status code. For domain forwarding, the status code determines whether search engines transfer your SEO value to the new domain or not. Using the wrong code can silently destroy your search rankings.
The Five Categories
| Range | Category | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1xx | Informational | 100 Continue |
| 2xx | Success | 200 OK, 204 No Content |
| 3xx | Redirect | 301, 302, 307, 308 |
| 4xx | Client Error | 404 Not Found, 403 Forbidden, 410 Gone |
| 5xx | Server Error | 500 Internal Error, 503 Unavailable |
Status Codes That Matter for Redirects
- 301 Moved Permanently: The gold standard for domain forwarding. Tells search engines to transfer ranking power to the new URL. Domain Forward uses this by default.
- 302 Found: Temporary redirect. Search engines keep the old URL indexed. Most registrars incorrectly default to this.
- 307 Temporary Redirect: Like 302, but guarantees the request method doesn’t change.
- 308 Permanent Redirect: Like 301, but guarantees the request method doesn’t change.
- 303 See Other: Forces a GET request. Used in web apps, not domain forwarding.
How to Check Status Codes
You can check which status code a URL returns using:
- Domain Forward’s redirect tester tool
- Browser developer tools (Network tab)
- Command line:
curl -I https://example.com
How Domain Forward Handles This
Every redirect through Domain Forward returns a proper 301 or 302 HTTP status code — no JavaScript redirects, no meta refresh tags. We never issue open redirects — all destinations are explicitly configured. The redirect analytics dashboard shows you exactly which status codes are being served.
Related Terms
Related Features
Frequently
asked questions
Use 301 (Moved Permanently) for permanent domain moves — this is the default in Domain Forward. Use 302 (Found) for temporary redirects when you plan to move back to the original domain.
A 200 OK means the request succeeded and the server is returning the requested content. This is the normal response when a web page loads successfully — no redirect is involved.
4xx codes are client errors — the request was wrong (404 Not Found, 403 Forbidden). 5xx codes are server errors — the server failed to handle a valid request (500 Internal Server Error, 503 Service Unavailable).
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